Scales of Justice replaced by stethoscope symbolizing healthcare in the courtroom.

Justice on the Brink: Why Germany's Legal System Faces a Doctor Shortage

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Theo Raines in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Understaffed and Under Pressure: How Doctor Shortages in German Prisons Threaten the Justice System"


Germany's police and justice systems are grappling with a significant shortage of doctors, pushing the system to its limits. The increasing scarcity of medical professionals willing to work within these sectors is not just a human resources problem; it's a threat to the very foundation of justice and public safety.

Many young medical graduates are opting for more lucrative and less stressful careers in private practice, leaving positions within the justice system understaffed and struggling to cope. This shortage raises critical questions about the quality of medical care provided to inmates and the potential ramifications for the legal process.

With fewer doctors available to conduct examinations, provide treatment, and offer expert testimony, the entire system faces delays and increased pressure. This article delves into the heart of this crisis, exploring the reasons behind the doctor shortage and potential solutions to ensure the German justice system can continue to function effectively.

The Growing Crisis: Why Doctors Are Avoiding the Justice System

Scales of Justice replaced by stethoscope symbolizing healthcare in the courtroom.

According to Dr. Michael Lutz-Dettinger, a leading medical director at the Kassel Correctional Facility, the shortage of doctors in the justice system is alarming. This issue isn't confined to prisons; it extends to the police force as well. The root of the problem? Government ministries are hesitant to offer competitive compensation packages.

While the German Federal Ministry of Defense has taken steps to address the issue by offering monthly allowances to employed doctors, the justice system lags behind. The state of Hesse's Ministry of Justice confirms that recruiting doctors for the justice system has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Out of 25 positions, five remain vacant, highlighting the severity of the situation.

  • Low Pay: Government salaries often can't compete with the earning potential in private practice.
  • High Stress: Working in prisons or police settings can be demanding and emotionally taxing.
  • Bureaucracy: Navigating the complexities of the public sector can be frustrating for some doctors.
  • Limited Resources: Justice system facilities may lack the advanced equipment and resources found in private hospitals.
Despite the challenges, officials maintain that medical care for prisoners is secure, relying on consulting physicians and external contracted doctors during off-duty hours. However, this patchwork approach raises concerns about the consistency and quality of care. Doctors who are tenured civil servants in Hesse start in pay grade A 13 or A 14 and can reach the A 16 pay grade, which represents a gross monthly salary of 6,000 euros. Doctors who are not tenured civil servants receive supplements to their pay in accordance with the collective wage agreement in Hesse.

A Prescription for Change: Finding Solutions to the Doctor Shortage

The shortage of doctors in Germany's justice system is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted solution. While some positions remain open, officials say finding qualified candidates is proving difficult. The federal government has announced plans to introduce legislation to support attracting skilled workers to federal roles. This includes a recruitment bonus to provide a tangible financial incentive for specialists such as doctors and IT personnel. The bonus is also intended to reward willingness to relocate.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

1

What is the main problem the German justice system is facing?

The German justice system faces a significant shortage of doctors, impacting prisons and police forces. This scarcity affects the quality of medical care for inmates and introduces delays in the legal process. The shortage is largely attributed to unattractive compensation packages compared to private practice, high-stress work environments, bureaucracy, and limited resources within the justice system. This complex issue requires multifaceted solutions to ensure the German justice system can continue to function effectively. It's important because it risks the health and safety of incarcerated individuals and hampers the ability of the justice system to operate efficiently.

2

What are the main reasons for the shortage of doctors in the German justice system?

The primary reasons behind the shortage of doctors in the German justice system include low pay compared to private practice, high-stress environments in prisons and police settings, bureaucratic hurdles within the public sector, and limited resources in justice system facilities. The German Federal Ministry of Defense has tried addressing the issue by offering monthly allowances to employed doctors, but the justice system generally lags. The state of Hesse's Ministry of Justice confirms that recruiting doctors for the justice system has become increasingly difficult in recent years.

3

What are the consequences of not having enough doctors in the justice system?

The shortage of doctors leads to delays in conducting examinations, providing treatment, and offering expert testimony. To cope with these shortages, officials rely on consulting physicians and external contracted doctors during off-duty hours. However, this can lead to inconsistencies in the quality of care. Further implications could involve legal challenges due to inadequate medical attention for inmates.

4

What is being done to solve the problem of the doctor shortage?

To address the doctor shortage, the federal government plans to introduce legislation to support attracting skilled workers to federal roles. The German government is considering implementing a recruitment bonus to provide a tangible financial incentive for specialists such as doctors and IT personnel. This bonus aims to reward willingness to relocate, making positions in the justice system more appealing.

5

How much do doctors in the German justice system get paid?

Tenured civil servant doctors in Hesse start in pay grade A 13 or A 14 and can reach the A 16 pay grade, representing a gross monthly salary of 6,000 euros. Doctors who are not tenured civil servants receive supplements to their pay in accordance with the collective wage agreement in Hesse. While this outlines compensation, it still may not compete with earnings in private practice, which remains a challenge in attracting medical professionals to the justice system.

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